Legal experts dispute Myanmar military’s rationale for removing Aung San statues

What happened

Local English source DVB reports that the Burma Lawyers’ Council (BLC) is strongly contesting the Myanmar military regime’s legal grounds for tearing down statues of General Aung San, the nation’s independence hero. The regime spokesperson Khaing Khaing Soe claimed on July 10 that the removals comply with the Protection and Preservation of Ancient Monuments Law (1962), targeting “substandard” statues lacking proper proportions and dignity, but the BLC disputes this legal justification.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure, battlefield claim or single-source assertion should be treated as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source or a named official. According to the BLC’s General Secretary, Myint Thein Aung, the military regime has failed to provide objective criteria or transparency in deeming which statues are ‘substandard’ or subject to removal, calling its explanation legally ambiguous. The BLC also argues that destroying monuments mostly funded by public donations may violate Section 425 of the Penal Code, an offense punishable by up to seven years imprisonment, placing the demolitions under potential criminal mischief.

An anonymous legal expert noted that while several dismantled statues date from the previous National League for Democracy (NLD) administration (2016-2021), many removed statues predate the NLD era, indicating a wider agenda beyond strictly reacting to recent political symbols. DVB data indicates at least 16 statues have been removed since the military coup in February 2021, often covertly at night to avoid public resistance.

Known from the source

• The Burma Lawyers’ Council is challenging the junta’s legal justification for removing statues of General Aung San.
• Junta spokesperson Khaing Khaing Soe cited the Protection and Preservation of Ancient Monuments Law (1962) for statue removals.
• The junta claims to remove ‘substandard’ statues with incorrect proportions and lacking dignity.
• The BLC states the regime did not provide transparent criteria or process for determining which statues to remove.
• The BLC asserts the demolitions may constitute criminal mischief under Section 425 of the Penal Code, punishable by up to seven years in prison.

What remains unclear

The campaign forms part of a broader military strategy to erase the legacy of both General Aung San and his daughter, State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, including efforts such as renaming landmarks and removing NLD symbols. The NLD condemned the removals as a deliberate attempt to destroy Myanmar’s national identity and history. While ethnic minority opposition to Aung San monuments has historic precedent, the current wave of removals appears directed by the junta’s political objectives rather than ethnic dispute resolution.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Verification of the exact legal basis the military cites for statue removals and if it aligns with official legal interpretations. Confirmation of the total number and locations of statues removed or destroyed since February 2021. Clarification on whether removal operations are officially sanctioned systematic policy or isolated local decisions.

Evidence note

This story contains report-led claims. The article keeps those claims attributed and treats them as unconfirmed/hearsay unless independently corroborated.

Original source: DVB English. Open the source.